Grant to fund mobile home park storm shelter

MELROSE – A federal grant will help pay the cost of building a storm shelter at a Melrose mobile home park.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's hazard mitigation grant program awarded $80,795 for the safe room, which will provide Melrose Mobile Home Park residents shelter during tornadoes and other severe weather.

The grant will cover 75 percent of the project cost. The property owner is responsible for the remaining 25 percent, said Erin Hausauer, Stearns County emergency management director.

This is the third federally funded storm shelter project underway in Stearns County, along with one at Paynesville High School and another at Cozy Corners Campground near Richmond.

The Melrose Mobile Home Park is one of two parks in Melrose lacking an adequate emergency storm shelter on site. Residents have to go to an off-site shelter during storms, Hausauer said.

"They were wanting to provide something closer to where everyone lives," she said.

Rose Park in Melrose also lacks an adequate storm shelter. The owner has applied for FEMA funding and is awaiting word on whether it will be approved, Hausauer said.

Follow Kirsti Marohn on Twitter @kirstimarohn.

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